PUTRAJAYA, June 14 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has emphasised that there must be no elements of betrayal by any party when it comes to political cooperation in the country.
The Pakatan Harapan chairman said strong cooperation is essential, particularly as the nation faces economic challenges that require all parties to work together.
“I have stated that in ensuring the success of cooperation in this country, there must be no elements of betrayal. If there is no betrayal, then it is good,” he said when officiating the 10th Annual General Meeting of Koperasi Profesional Putrajaya Berhad (KOPROJAYA) today.
Also present were Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar, Malaysian National Cooperative Movement president Datuk Seri Abdul Fattah Abdullah, and KOPROJAYA chairman Saiful Azhar Shaharun.
Anwar was responding to a previous statement by UMNO president Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who said that the issue of betrayal should not arise once a term of administration has ended.
His remarks were made to deny claims by several Harapan leaders who labelled UMNO as a ‘traitor’, following the announcement of the state election in Negeri Sembilan.
However, Anwar, who is also the president of Parti Keadilan Rakyat, said he felt there were elements of betrayal in the political cooperation in the state.
“In our experience in Negeri Sembilan, there were certainly attempts (betrayal) despite the political stability and the economy, but there were elements aimed at bringing it down.
“So, in my view, there is a bit of betrayal. As for Johor, it is up to them if they want to hold an earlier election,” he said.
Anwar added that if there were no elements of betrayal, all parties would instead focus on strengthening understanding regarding the existing political cooperation.
He noted that the MADANI government’s main focus at present is to generate national economic growth and resolve all issues affecting the people.
“I have said that our focus is on generating economic growth and addressing people’s problems, not being busy with election matters in the next two or three months,” Anwar said.
On Friday (June 12), the Election Commission set the polling day for the Johor election on July 11, while the Negeri Sembilan election is on August 1.
